Snap switch



Oct. 23, 1951 w. H. HOLLINSHEAD SNAP SWITCH 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1948 William 76 7 follinshead W. H. HOLLINSHEAD Oct. 23, 1951 SNAP SWITCH Filed Nov. 4, 1 v

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 William ill Follinshedd gz r. 4-

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT S AP CH William H. Hcllinshead, St. Paul, Minn. Application mber 4, 9 8 se f N- 4 6. i Claim. (01. 200-68) My invention relates to an improvement in snap switch wherein it is desired to provide a simple and inexpensive switch for closing one or a plurality of contacts.

Snap switches are sometimes employed -for controlling the operation of mechanism which is subjected to the elements. For example, in the control of pumping mechanism where the operation of the pump depends upon fluid level, it is desirable to provide a snap switch which may be operated easily by a float or similar apparatus, but which at the same time may be made at a minimum cost. With such devices it is desirable that the mechanism be water resistant and that the contacts and contact points be protected from moisture. Thus short circuiting between the switch terminals is prevented.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a snap switch which operates with little difiiculty and which at the same time may be made at a low cost of production. 'The parts of my device are so constructed that the may be easily assembled and when once in'plac'e, will remain in proper assembled form.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a snap switch having a plurality of contacts mounted in spaced relation upon a single insulation panel which is supported toward the upper end of the casing. The mechanism for actuating the contacts is all located below the level of the insulated panel in such a way that even though moisture entered the lower portion of the casing, the contacts and terminals would be protected. As a result, the switch may be used out of doors or exposed to dampness and moisture with little dangerof short circuiting.

A feature of the present invention lies'in'the provision of a casing having an open'top and an openiront and in providing an in-tegral covering panel which extends over' both the top and front'of the casing to enclose the same. This covering panel is provided withmarginal flanges which extend-partially over the back panel and over the side wall panels so as to form a closure therefor.

An added feature of the present invention lies in the provisionof a shield which covers the :opening in the casing through which the contact wires extend, this shield extending downwardly and being open at the bottom to act as a tame *to prevent moisture from entering the upper portion of the casing.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claim.

In the drawings forming a part'of my specification, Figure 1 is a frontelevational view of my switch showing the construction thereof.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of :one side of 2 h itch S w ng h o u t e endin i to th c s n Q Figure 3 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the casing from that illustratediri Fig ure 2, a portion of the casing being broken away to indicate the manner in which "the insulation panel is supported. Figure .4 is a sectional view through the switch mechanism showing the contacts in open posi-; tion.

Figure '5 is a view similar to Figure l the contacts in closed position.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the contact operating mechanism attached to the bottom panel of the casing.

Figure 7 is a .top plan view of the insulation panel with the terminals connected'thereto showing Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the opg erating lever for operating the switch nechaf nism shown in Figure Figure 9 is a sectional view through the switch lever, the position of the section'being' indicated by the line 99 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a perspective View of oneofthe casing sections.

The snap switch A includes a housing which includes three main portions. One such portion, indicated in general by the numeral Hi, includes aback wall panel H and a'pair of substantially parallel side wall panels 12 and I3. The back wall panel ll includes an elongated offset-por tion M which is pressed rearwardly on to a plane spaced from the plane of the back panel H and generally parallei thereto. This recessed "portion l4 permits the casing to be secured snugly against a suitable supporting element as will'be later described in detail. 2

The side wall panels l2 and I3 are provided with rounded corners l5 and I6 respectively at the juncture of the upper edges of the panels and the forward edges thereof. The side panel I3 is provided with an elongated notch ll therein at the juncture of the forward edge of the panel and the lower edge l9 thereof.

A second portion of the casing is illustrated in Figure 10"of the drawings, and is indicated in general by the numeral 20. The casing member 20 includes a bottom panel 2|, parallel side wall panels 22 and 23 and a front wall flange 24. The side wall panels 22 and 23 are spaced apart a distance just sufficient to fit within the parallel side wall panels 23 of the casing section III. The front wall flange 24 extends upwardly substantially flush with the forward edges of the parallel walls 22 and 23 and is designed to lie inwardly of the cover section of the casing, not yet described in detail.

A cap screw or metal screw 25 extends through the outer side wall panel [3 and is threaded into The shield 21 is provided with a marginal flange w 29 which is on a flat plane. An outwardly bulged center portion 30 is drawn from the sheet forming the shield so as to form a passage for containing the electrical cable or conductor. Thus the shield 21 fits flat against the wall panel I2 and is sealed thereagainst along its upper edge and sideedges.

while the central outwardly bulged portion 30 is opened at its lower end. A pair of parallel slots 3| are provided communicating with the lower end of the flanged edge 29 to accommodate the screws 26.

. The third main portion of the housing is indicated by the numeral 32 and forms a removable cover or closure for the casing. The member 32 includes a front panel 33 and a top panel 34 connected by a rounded portion 35. Flanges 36 and 31 are provided on the cover section 32, these flanges partially overlying the side walls l2 and I3 near the front and top free edges to form an overlapping connection between the front closure panel and the other part of the casing. A rear flange 39 overlies a portion of the rear wall I I of the enclosure so as to form an overlapping con nection with the rear casing wall. A slot 43 is provided communicating with the lower edge of the front wall panel 32 and a metal screw or cap screw 4| extends through the. slot 4|] and is threaded into the front flange 24 of the second casingsection so as to hold the cover firmly in place.

It will be noted that because of the flanges 36, 31 and 39, the cover panel 32 must be raised upwardly from the remainder of the casing until it is clear of the side walls of the casing and until the slot 40 is clear over the screw 4|. When the cover panel is in place, moisture dropping upon the easing will drain down the side walls and cannot readily enter the upper portion of the casing.

. As indicated in Figures 3 and 10 of the drawings, an elongatedv transverse aperture is pro vided in each of the side walls 22 of the casing :section 28.

vided at opposite ends of the panel, these cars entering the apertures 42 and 43.

Thus when the insulation panel 46 is in place, it is held between the walls 22 and 23 with the screws, bolts, or other fastening means, the panel merely being held in place by the lips or ears 41 or 49 at opposite ends thereof.

A pair of spaced terminal plates 55 and overlie the top surface of the panel 45 in aligned relation. A second pair of contact plates 52 and 53 are similarly aligned in spaced relation to the plates 50 and 5|. Contact terminals 54 and 55 extend through the spaced plates 50 and 52 to One such aperture 42 is provided in the side wall 22 and a second aperture 43 is prohold these plates in fixed relation to the mounted panel. These contacts 54 and 55 are provided with enlarged downwardly projecting heads 56 which form contact points. The plates 5| and 53 are held in place upon .the insulation panel '46 by contact rivets 51 and 59. These rivets 5'l and 59 also act to support spring contact strips 60 in parallel relation on the under surface of the insulation block 46. The spring contact strips 60 are provided with contact buttons or heads 6| which are engageable with the enlarged heads 56 of the contacts 54 and 55. The spring of the strips normally'holds the contacting ends 6| in spaced-relation from the contact heads 56. However, the spring strips are so designed that the contacting ends thereof may be sprung into engagement with the corresponding terminals on the plate as indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

The snap switch mechanism is best illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The mechanism is indicated in general by the numeral 62. This mechanism is mounted upon a supporting frame including a bottom plate 63 which overlies and rests upon the bottom plate 2| of the casing section 2|! and a pair of parallel upright mechanism supports 64 and 65. The mechanism supports 64 and 65 are formed as best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, each including a pair of spaced upright arms 66 and 61 which are provided with notches 69 and 10 along their inner edges. The notch 69 in the arm 56 is designed to pivotally support the operating lever in a manher which will be later described, while the notch It is designed to pivotally support the contact operating lever.

With rei'erenceto Figure 6 of the drawings, it will be noted that the operating lever extends through the notch ll in the side wall l3 of the casing and extends along side of the upright portion 65 of the snap switch support. The lever 1| is provided with a cross arm 12 which rearwardly extends in the casing and supports a longitudinally extending lever end 13 parallel to the portion of the lever ll extending through the easing wall. The lever 1| includes a pair of inturned opposed ears l4 and 15 which extend toward each other and engage in the notches 69 in the arms 56. These ears 14 and '15 thus act as fulcrums for the lever 1| and engage in the parallel notches 69.

The snap switch contact strip actuating lever 16 extends between the upright portions 64 and 65 and is provided with outwardly extending ears H which engage in the notches 10 in the upright arms 67. The notches 19 act as fulcrums for the opposed pivot ears ll of the lever 16. The lever 16 is provided with. a central notch 19 which extends through the major portion of the length of the lever. A spring is connected to the lever 16 near one end of the notch 19 and is centrally connected to the cross connecting arm 12 of the lever 1| to hold these levers engaged against their respective fulcrums. In other words, the spring 80 serves the double purpose of actuating the lever 16 in a manner which will be later described and also holds the lever 1| engaged in the notches 69 and holds the fulcrums of lever 16 engaged in the notches 10.

The lever 16 is provided with an upturned flange end 8| thereupon to which is secured a strip 82 of insulating material. This insulating material is pivotal against the under surface of the contact strips 69 so as to urge the contact ends 6| thereof against the fixed contact heads 56. In one extreme position of the lever 16 illustrated in Figure .4 of the drawings, the insulation strip 82 permits the spring contact strips to be operated from their respective fixed contacts. In the other extreme position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, the spring arms are engaged against their respective contacts.

Pivotal movement of the lever H is limited by engagement of the cross connecting arm 12 with laterally extending projections 83 and 84 on the arms 67. In one extreme position of the lever H the cross connecting arm 12 is in engagement with the projections 84. In the other extreme position the cross connecting member 12 is in connection with the projections 83.

Pivotal movement of the lever 16 is similarly effected by projections 85 and 86 on the arms 66. Ear 81 on the lever 16 are engageable in one extreme position with the projections 85 and in the other extreme position with the projections 86. Thus the supporting frame of the snap switch mechanism not only supports the two levers but acts to limit their movement. It will be noted that when the lever H is in its lowered position, the cross connecting member 12 of the lever is in engagement with the projection 84. When the contacts are to be closed, the lever H is swung in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Figures 1, 4 and 5 about the fulcrum notches 69 until the spring 80 is aligned with the major portion of the lever 16. moves past alignment with the lever 16, the spring 80 pivots the lever 16 in a clock-wise direction about its fulcrum notches swinging the insulation block 82 against the spaced contact strips 60 and urging them against their corresponding fixed contacts. The opening of the contacts is accomplished by a reversal of this process. The lever H is lowered until the spring 80 passes alignment with the body portion of the lever 16 whereupon the lever 16 pivots about its fulcrum notches 10 in a counter-clockwise direction to its opposite extreme position. The insulation block 82 is moved away from the spring plates 60 allowing these plates to spring into the open position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The assembly of my switch is extremely simple. The levers l6 and 12 are connected by the spring '80 and forced into the space between the arms 66 and 67, the spring holding the two levers thus assembled. The supporting base 63 of the snap switch mechanism is held to the bottom panel 2| of the casing section 20 by cap screws or metal screws 90. The contact plates of Figure 7 are secured to the insulation panel 46, the connecting rivets also securing the fixed contacts and the spring contact strips in place. The insulation panel 46 is then sprung between the parallel sides 22 and 23 of the casing section 20.

The casing section 20 is then secured to the casing section 10 by the bolts or cap screws 25 and 26, the latter screws also securing the shield 29. The cover section 32 is then slid downwardly over the body of the device and secured thereto by the single clamping screw 4|.

When the cover portion 32 of the casing is removed, the terminals are readily accessible and the terminal cables may be connected thereto. The switch casing is usually supported by some support such as 9| which has an opening 92 therein for accommodating one cable 93. The other cable extends through an aperture 94 in the casing wall l2 aligned with the interior of the shield 27 and this cable 95 extends downwardly through the shield 21 and is protected.

As soon as the spring 80 The casing may be secured to the fixed support 9| by screws or bolts 96 which extend through apertures 91 and 99 in the offset portion 14 of the casing panel II. The offset portion 14 fits snugly against the support 9| and hOlds the remainder of the panel I I slightly spaced from the support so that the flange 39 of the closure panel may extend rearwardly of the back panel I I.

The operating lever H is preferably provided through at least a portion of its length with a reinforcing flange I00 which extends along one edge thereof. A hole [0| may be provided in the lever H so that this lever may be easily attached to anoperating arm for action by a float or similar device.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described the principles of construction and operation of my snap switch, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

A snap switch including a support having a base and a pair of substantially parallel side plates, each of said side plates being divided to form two spaced arms, the arms of one side plate being opposedto the arms on the other side plate and forming two pairs of opposed spaced arms, each pair of arms having a notch on their inner surface directed toward the other pair of arms and at least one arm of each pair of arms having a pair of spaced ears on its outer surface, a yoke shaped lever including spaced sides extending outwardly of said side plates and being connected along one end thereof, said sides having inwardly extending projections engageable in the notches of one pair of arms, a second lever extending between said side plates and including outwardly directed projections engageable with the notches of the other pair of arms, said second lever having a center slot therein, a spring secured to the connecting member of said first lever and extending through the slot of said second lever and connected to said second lever, means for pivoting one of said levers beyond alignment with the other of said levers, said spring acting to pivot the other of said levers as the pivoted lever moves past aligned position, an angularly extending arm on the other of said levers, and circuit closing means positioned for actuation by said angularly extending arm, portions of said levers abutting said spaced ears to limit the respective pivoting of said levers through an are determined by the spacing of said ears.

WILLIAM H. I-IOLLINSHEAD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,768,943 Taylor July 1, 1930 1,909,641 Watts May 16, 1933 1,910,510 Warner May 23, 1933 2,250,977 Walker July 29, 1941 2,314,995 Lennholm Mar. 30, 1943 2,345,757 Lester Apr. 4, 1944 2,354,282 Shaw July 25, 1944 2,429,813 Hausler Oct. 28, 1947 2,454,962 Brown Nov. 30, 1948 2,466,459 MacFarland Apr. 5, 1949 

